Action Plan

Health Risks from Opioid Addiction

Depending on the type of drug used, the high may be short and intense (such as heroin which is usually 15-30 minutes) or longer lasting (such as morphine which usually lasts 4-6 hours).

Short-term Health effects:

Drowsiness

Lethargy

Paranoia

Respiratory depression (slowed-breathing)

Nausea

Long-term health effects:

Nausea and vomiting

Abdominal distention and bloating

Constipation

Liver damage

Brain damage

Development of tolerance and dependence

There are also additional health effects if the drug is injected. These include heart problems (infections), pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in the lungs), gangrene (if the injection site becomes infected), and chronic infections passed through blood like viral hepatitis and HIV if the user is using an unsterile needle.